Chris Hill: Poor 2017 season made us stronger this year

Drew Darbyshire

Chris Hill says Warrington’s shocking 2017 campaign made them see the light at the end of the tunnel and come full circle.

The Wolves found themselves in the Qualifiers last year and managed to avoid relegation to the Championship under then coach Tony Smith.

But Warrington have turned things around, with Steve Price guiding the club to a spot in the Challenge Cup final and a place in the Super 8s.

On 2017, Hill said: “Turning up to training was hard because we weren’t winning.

“But sometimes you have to have those years to appreciate the other years and get better and make changes, and that’s what we did as a club.

“Being in the bottom four was a shock. We went through it and you could probably say it changed people’s mindsets.

“The lads didn’t want to be in it this year. It teaches you lessons as well, how close you can actually be to being out of a job.”

But the England international thinks the team are better for last year happening.

He added: “It makes you stronger.

“It was hard going through it, it was hard as a family, people just think of you, but you’ve still got a mum and dad who have to sit there and take the flak and people shouting at their son. It’s hard for your missus sitting there with the kids.

“The abuse is natural. At the end of the day, the fans pay their money and they’ve got their say. I think it makes you stronger.”

Warrington face Catalans Dragons in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, 3pm kick-off.